State, County, City Officials Urge Action To Save Highway Trust Fund

The seven largest associations representing state, county and municipal government have sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to find a long-term solution to keep the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) solvent. “As the owners and operators of 97% of the nation’s interconnected surface transportation systems, state and local governments know that a long-term vision and funding certainty are best for our country’s infrastructure,” the July 7 letter said. “Jobs, infrastructure projects and the safe and timely movement of freight are now at risk because of the impending insolvency of the HTF.” The trust fund is expected to be insolvent by August, meaning the federal government will have to delay and reduce reimbursement payments to the states for highway work already completed. In addition, the transportation authorizing law, MAP-21, expires Sept. 30, and Congress has not approved new legislation to continue highway spending. Those signing the letter were the National Conference of State Legislatures, National Governors Association, Council of State Governments, National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, U.S. Conference of Mayors and the International City/County Management Association. The letter was addressed to House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). “Federal inaction and short-term extensions create uncertainty at the state and local levels, which hinders transformative transportation investments and prevents our nation’s economy from moving forward,” the letter said. (TT)